The quartet in Open Spaces
Four visual artists exhibit at Thapong Visual Arts Centre
Open Spaces, a new and exciting exhibition, featuring four of the most talented artists from Botswana is officially open. The exhibition officially opened last week, and is displayed at Thapong Visual Arts Centre. The four artists come from different disciplines of the arts, and they include Abednico Sechaba, Isaac Chibua, Kelebogile Marope as well as Tebogo Motswetla.
Marope, with her fascination of household objects has a very intricate and mind blowing installation that leaves visitors wishing that they could get a glimpse into what was going through her mind when she created these particular artworks. She is the only woman in this exhibition, and has a series of artworks under what can be termed as burnt pinewood.
Her piece, the great waves 2022, appears to be nothing to the ordinary eye. And then there is another one, a bigger installation that takes one back to years ago when she had a very interesting installations of irons. This particular one happens to be wood/ matchsticks burnt on different ends and then placed strategically, titled: Out of the ruins of beauty emerges. When you walk there and look at them, it appears that Marope wanted to challenge society, and see what genius message we would deduct from this one. For this reporter, she had to marvel at Marope’s talent and how she can just about come up with anything and still evoke different emotions from society. A graduate of Rhodes University with Master of Fine Art, her fascination with household objects seeks to illustrate how these ordinary objects are somewhat bound with one’s history, ideas and experiences.
Sechaba, a ceramic mastermind, has a series of his works showing off his skills in his chosen field. One of the interesting artworks happens to be one titled: Life is a bed or Life is not a bed of roses. The pieces comprise of various ceramic objects ranging from cups, and other items that appear or give the impression of a forgotten ancient traditional home set- up. Sechaba who holds a Master of Studio Art specializing in Ceramics at the University of Sidney College of the Arts, kind of shows that this is someone who has studied extensively in his chosen field. Each little thing is about his testament of his love for Ceramics and the arts. Chibua, gives a different insight with his mixed media pieces. Fusing more than one media, he has a number of works that include Boys II, Dinkuku wee which is an Acrylic on canvas piece. But it is his piece titled, Eyes on the ball that takes one’s breath away. Measuring 25 by 8.5, the mixed media artwork features boys focused on something, perhaps they are thinking about their future, and a number of objects, including what appears to be metal bowls/ plates. Besides eyes on the ball, he also has other works that include, The Social divide, which is a three dimensional fibre glass metal, and paint piece. Chibua holds an Associate Degree in fine art from Limkokwing University. He is what can be termed as a combination of a selftaught and academic artist.
Motswetla, the genius behind Mabijo, which dates back to 1989, also brings in a bit of humour with Mabijo, and the antics that he gets up to. In one of these digital design works, Mabijo happens to be sitting and enjoying the warmth of open fire with the late Sir Ketumile Masire, who is holding a segaba. The message being that one has to do things their way. Motswetla holds a Masters in 2 dimensional and digital design from Edith Cowan University in Australia. For decades, Mabijo has kept many
Batswana entertained with his daring and sometimes foolish antics.
Speaking at the official opening of the exhibition, Oshinka Tsiang, explained that it was a privilege to officiate at the event that features the talented quartet. He said that Open Spaces seeks to express the scope of art forms that the artists freely explore.
“The theme allows them to express their concepts without limitations. Thus offering the audience unlimited knowledge, varying in ways of interpreting and appreciating their art work,” he said. He further said that in art, open spaces may be deemed a negative space, or an empty space. In such a space, he said that an artist comes to occupy it through beautiful, provoking works of art.
“The open space could be a symbol of freedom or mind for self- expression without limitations. It could be the varied art forms and ideas which the four artists created for the benefit of society at large,” he noted.
Tsiang also highlighted that he wished that the next generation of aspiring artists will learn from the quartet. He also encouraged them to mentor upcoming artists who aspire to be where they are.
“Share your experience and skills with them,” he noted.